Notable Canadians Mask Up!

I don’t know about you, but I’ve amassed quite the mask collection over these past few months. I have a wide range of styles that could go with any outfit; from leopard print to sequins to classic black, my mask range is versatile and varied, and – most importantly – fun, because let’s be honest this year is an absolute dumpster fire and we need a lot more fun in our lives.

*Written by fashion maven and PR powerhouse Gail McInnes.  Gail is the founder and principle of fashion public relations agency Magnet Creative Managment, co-founder of Stylist Box and guru of all things Canadian fashion. She’s worked with some of the best and brightest in the industry, and has curated many incredible and memorable events.  Gail taps her vast network again to bring us a list of notable Canadians setting a great example by masking up during the COVID-19 pandemic.

*header photo featuring Christopher Paunil wearing one of his own Canadian Mask designs

 

While things are so very far from whatever “normal” was before, we’ve all pretty much gotten used to wearing a mask out and about and being those good, responsible, caring citizens we all should be. (Side-eyeing those anti-maskers.)

Through my insomnia-driven deep dives on Instagram, I’ve been seeing a lot of my favourite Canadians wearing some cool masks and spreading the good word on mask-wearing and making it look cool at the same time. I thought I’d reach out to some of them to see if they wanted to share their thoughts. From your favourite horror movie starlet to Mr International himself, Canada’s most notable names are masking up and looking fab while doing it.

 

KARDINAL OFFISHALL
Renowned Rapper, Producer, and Record Executive

I wear a mask not for me, but for everyone that I could possibly inadvertently affect. It’s courtesy. It’s respect. It’s love. When I first visited Japan years ago, I learned that the people who were, or MAY, be ill wore a mask so as not to endanger those that they may come in contact with, I immediately understood a culture that put their fellow humans’ health and well-being first. To not wear a mask is selfish. You MAY feel healthy but actually be asymptomatic in which case you could spread COVID-19 to a loved one or a compromised stranger without knowing. To me, it’s simple: don’t be a d!ck – wear a mask in public, until we have everything under control. If you love where you live and the citizens that live there with you-WAM! (Wear A Mask). 

 

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“Listen with curiosity. Speak with honesty. Act with integrity. The greatest problem with communication is we don’t listen to understand. We listen to reply. When we listen with curiosity, we don’t listen with the intent to reply. We listen for what’s behind the words.” -smart smaddy •”Most of the successful people I’ve known are the ones who do more listening than talking” -anedda smart idren •”Friends are those rare people who ask how we are and then wait to hear the answer” -ah ah, yuzeet •”The humble listen to their brothers and sisters because they assume they have something to learn. They are open to correction, and they become wiser through it.” -wi dun talk deh soh

A post shared by Mr.Kardinal (@kardinalo) on

 

NATALIE BROWN
Actor (The Strain, Ransom, Canadian Strain) and Super Cool Gal

“It’s about WE, not ME. My mask protects YOU, and your mask protects ME.”

*n.b. If using a cloth mask (like this adorable one from NARCES, where every mask purchased buys two additional masks for health care workers), please be sure to hand wash it daily.

 

ANDREW PHUNG
Avid Sneaker Collector, Proud Dad, and Star of Kim’s Convenience

“I wear a mask because I genuinely care about others. The science around masks is that wearing them will help decrease the spread of the virus. It will help protect myself, and others, and I’m happy to do the little things to help protect those around me. Also, I think they look bad-ass. I feel like a ninja wearing one, and I LOVE feeling like a ninja.”

*Editors Note: After sharing this quote, Andrew Phung dropped a smoke bomb and disappeared into the air. 

 

JESS SALGUEIRO
Star of Canadian Strain (A Must-See Gem of a Movie), and The Expanse

“Wearing a mask and seeing others wear one has become this beautiful symbol of unity for me. It reminds me of how connected we are and that we are taking care of one another. I bought this tie-dye mask off an 11-year-old girl in my neighbourhood who makes them!”

SHARRON MATTHEWS
Flo from CBC’s Frankie Drake Mysteries, and Joan The Secretary from Mean Girls!

“I wear a mask because it is the right thing to do. I am asthmatic and find myself worried about my own health. I cannot imagine what it is like for people who are in greater and higher risk. So, for them, for you, and for my own health, I put on a mask every day. 

 

Wear a mask, be part of the solution.”

 

TANYA KIM
Television Personality and Animal Advocate

“Wearing a mask is my way of showing up for others during this ‘new normal’.  It’s my way to be kind and thoughtful, and it’s an easy contribution to help stop the spread so that we may all continue to do this thing called life.”

VANESSA MATSUI
Director, Producer, Writer and Actor of Ghost BFF

“I wear a mask because it’s kind!”

ALLANA HARKIN
Emmy-Nominated Producer for Full Frontal with Samantha Bee

“Wearing a mask is not political, but it does make a statement. Beyond it being for my own safety, it says “I see you, I don’t know who you are, but I care that you’re okay.” Also, I really need to get back to hugging. Can you be arrested for hugging a Canadian customs officer? This might happen.”

 

 

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Your nose is still connected to your face.

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Nadia Elkharadly

Nadia Elkharadly

Nadia Elkharadly is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of Addicted Magazine. Her myriad of addictions include music, fashion, travel, technology, boxing and trying to make the world a better place. Nadia is also a feminist, an animal lover, and a neverending dreamer. Keep up with her on social media through @thenadiae.
Nadia Elkharadly

@TheNadiaE

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